"These are workmen from a neighbouring factory," answered he; "they come here in turns for an hour every day, in order to read in yonder room, especially set apart for them, such books as the library committee has judged to be adapted to their wants. Such workmen's libraries exist in all the several quarters of the city, but they are most numerous in the densely populated districts where most factories are to be found." "And are they well frequented? And do employers allow their workmen to make use of them? And have they reduced their wages in consequence? Are they not afraid that their men will thus become too clever, too well educated?" "With regard to your first two questions--yes; with regard to the latter two--no. So far as employers are concerned, they have long been taught by experience that, by allowing their employés one hour's relaxation daily, they act in their own interest; that is to say, when such an hour's "holiday" be turned to good account by the men themselves, by learning something more about their business, and contributing to their mental development generally. Besides, what else could have happened, since the continual invention of new machinery has done away with so much of our manual labour? Naturally enough, a greater demand has set in among the working classes for knowledge and intellectual culture, and this has shown itself in the same proportion as the demand for mere handicraft has subsided." "Pity, though," said I, "for those who cannot make use of the library." "Cannot!" exclaimed my guide; "but the doors are open to every one." "Except to those who are unable to read, I suppose." "Unable to read!" retorted Bacon; "but we are in Europe, my dear sir, not among the Hottentots or Bushmen! There is not one man or woman amongst us but what can read and write, and even do some arithmetic. Surely these elements of knowledge are the very first steps on the field of culture, and the sine quâ non of a person's being a useful member of society." "Do I then understand from your remarks that you have arrived at last at a system of Compulsory Education?" "Most decidedly, sir! How could you doubt that for a moment? If parents are obliged to maintain their children with food and the 'necessaries of life,' why should they not be compelled to look after the nurturing of their minds?" "Why, because the one is a moral obligation, whereas, if I rightly understand you, school education has been made compulsory by the law; and this would appear to me to be an infringement of individual liberty, and of the rights of parents."